Withdrawal of Universal Credit uplift and the rising cost of living - help is at hand

From the start of October 2021, the Universal Credit Uplift of £20 will be coming to an end. If your Monthly Assessment period ends on or after the 6th October 2021 you may receive a lower amount of Universal Credit.

The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that Universal Credit Monthly Allowance will reduce as follows:

Monthly Allowance Reduction 

  • Single and under 25 - £344.00 down to £257.33
  • Single and 25 or over - £411.51 down to £324.84
  • Couple under 25 - £490.60 down to £403.93
  • Couple over 25 - £596.58 down to £509.91

At the last count, 16,814 people in Dundee rely on Universal Credit, 36% of whom are in employment. Losing such a large proportion of household income is undoubtedly going to be a huge issue for many households. That is why it is so important to reach out and get advice on the help that’s available. 

Additionally, with the furlough and self employment schemes ending and the increased cost of gas just announced, there are likely to be many households that will struggle with the increased cost of living going forward.

Dundee City Council can help you access financial support you might be unaware of. 

Benefit check service: Council Advice Service can check to make sure that you’re getting all you’re entitled to. For advice or assistance regarding money advice or benefit entitlement, please contact Council Advice Services on (01382) 431188, option 2, Monday to Friday, 1pm to 4.30pm, or alternatively, please email welfare.rights@dundeecity.gov.uk. We can advise on all matters relating to benefits and can carry out better off calculations to determine how moving into employment or altering working hours may affect your award. 

You may have noticed an entry in your journal recently advising you of the change to your Universal Credit award. In this entry, there is a guide on how to get help with debt and managing your money. 
 
Dundee Energy Efficiency Action Project (DEEAP): The current increases in the cost of gas is going to leave many households struggling to pay to heat their homes over the winter and beyond. Deeap may be able to assist you to use your heating systems efficiently, tackle fuel debt or help you to apply for the £140 Warm Homes Discount if you are entitled and if your supplier takes part in the scheme. You can contact DEEAP on 01282 431188 (option 3) or by emailing deeap@dundeecity.gov.uk .

Discretionary Housing Payments: If your Universal Credit Housing Costs doesn’t cover all of your rent and you are having difficulty paying the shortfall, you may be able to get a Discretionary Housing Payment to help.  Information for these can be found by visiting the Discretionary Housing Payments webpage.